Peak Hours Make Parking A Puzzle At UM

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - With school now well into the fall semester at the University of Montana, I spoke appropriately with UM’s Director of Strategic Communications Dave Kuntz about the strategies of finding parking on campus.

Kuntz began by stating that UM has not been able to provide more parking opportunities on campus.

The Never Ending Search for Parking is Underway at the University of Montana

“For the first time in a few years, we don't have any new parking arrangements this academic year, and by that, I mean lots being closed or coming back online,” began Kuntz. “Now, we will have some additional parking coming back to campus about a year from now, as some of our construction gets closer to finishing. So for now, the plan that we had in place remains last year to this year.”

Kuntz said there is parking available on campus, but during certain hours, drivers must be more strategic.

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Kuntz said Those Looking for Parking Must be Strategic

“People can park on campus,” he said. “You can either buy a pass through the UM Parking Office or pay one dollar an hour through the Park Mobile App, and just expect the fact that we do have the supply to meet the demand of parking each and every day on campus. It's just in those windows of time, usually 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. it does get harder, and we just encourage people to look specifically to the northeast corner of campus, where there usually ends up being more spots there around Washington Grizzly Stadium.”

Once again, Kuntz pointed out the geographical limitations for parking on the UM campus.

Kuntz said 'Parking will Always be a Challenge' at UM

“Parking is always going to be a challenge,” he said. “It's one of the drawbacks of being a campus that's up against the mountain and alongside the river. But through our new parking app, the U-Dash shuttles that the University of Montana Student Government operates, and then our commuter friendly bike options, we're pretty confident that we are meeting the demand again this year for parking here at UM.”

Kuntz said there is more parking availability on Grizzly game day (Saturdays), as the games are primarily scheduled during the weekend.

It May be Easier of Grizzly Game Day to Find Enough Parking

“For football games, we do have a little bit more flexibility, as people can park in the neighborhood surrounding campus, and those options aren't available during the school day,” he said. “But anyone who's coming into Missoula, or if you live in Missoula, it's probably going to save you some time most weeks to jump on one of the Park and Rides, whether it's at Dornblaser Stadium or at one of the student living facilities around campus, and park there and then bus into campus. It's a super efficient way to get in and out of campus without having to be out in the hustle for a parking space on a game day.”

So, for all who are driving and searching for parking on Grizzly game day…good hunting!